McDonald’s and Carl’s Jr. are among the big fast food chains casting out new fish items as a way to reel in customers—especially during Lent, when many diners cut back on meat.
Advertising
Why Some Brand Extensions Are Brilliant and Others Are Just Awkward
When done correctly, a brand extension can be a huge hit, with the only complaint among consumers amounting to Why didn’t they do that sooner? Sometimes, though, the launch of a new product featuring a well-known brand is such a mismatch the reaction is more like What were they thinking?
Strange Brew: When the Bottle Matters More Than the Beer Inside
If the biggest selling point for a new beer is the bottle that it comes in, what does that say about the beer itself?
5 Top Trends for 2013 Super Bowl Commercials
The cost of advertising in the Super Bowl is rising, running an average of $4 million for a 30-second spot—up from $3.5 million last year and just $42,000 back in 1967. To justify the expense, advertisers aim to present fans with something more than just another entertaining but ultimately forgettable commercial.
Tempting the Young: New Efforts to Get Younger Consumers Hooked on Guns, Luxe Cars, Soda and More
Youths are also sought after as customers because consumption habits are often ingrained at a young age—and because they will be money-spending consumers for many, many years to come.
The Sleep Industry: Why We’re Paying Big Bucks for Something That’s Free
Budweiser Tries to Get All Sophisticated By Putting on a New ‘Black Crown’
Next up in Budweiser’s efforts to lose its stale image is the Anheuser-Busch launch of two slick new upscale brews—which are supposed to appeal to drinkers who usually opt for flavorful craft beers or hip liquor brands.
Guys and Dollars: How Groceries, Barbies, Fashion and More Are Being Marketed to Men
Word has gotten out that men do more of the household shopping nowadays. Accordingly, we’re being asked to shop in “man aisles” in supermarkets, and we’re even being subjected to an awful new made-up term: “mansumer.”
Why Walmart Took Over Facebook for 72 Hours
Walmart shut out the competition and purchased 50 million Facebook ads over Black Friday weekend — all without proof that doing so would necessarily help boost sales. Huh?
Selling Cars to Millennials: Quirky Models, Flashy Colors Aim to Get Gen Y Out of Neutral
Automakers are realizing that millennials are not like older consumers — and that the trusty old car models and classic sales pitches just won’t cut it.
Does a Low Price Mean Good Value or Bad Quality?
While some shoppers pounce on rock-bottom prices without hesitation, others are tentative concerning “doorbusters” and eye-popping 80% off deals. After all, doesn’t a cheap price equate to cheap quality?
A Simple Way to Get TV Viewers to Stop Skipping the Ads
Why “second (and third) screens” make you a better TV viewer—as far as advertisers are concerned, anyway.